[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Research T-Hero Section” module_class=”hero tert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Tertiary_Research.jpg” background_position=”top_right” custom_padding=”1%||1%||true|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” collapsed=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Nav Parent Title” module_class=”tert-parent” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Breadcrumbs” module_class=”bcrumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”font-size:16px;||color: #fff;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=” Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Clinical research is the study of health and illness in people. Clinical research tests new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]These treatments could include:<\/p>\n
Clinical trials can also test other aspects of care. For example, they may research ways to improve quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Clinical research is called many things. Some of the terms used to describe clinical research are:<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”references” module_class=”accord pa-accordion” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” height=”24″ height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”.et_pb_toggle_title:before {|| font-size: 20px;|| position: absolute;|| color: #FFFFFF;|| font-family: ETmodules !important;|| font-weight: 400 !important;|| content: %22%924c%22 !important;|| right: 2% !important;|| display: inline-block !important;||}||.accord .et_pb_toggle_content {|| color: #008c99;|| font-size: 16px;|| font-weight: 500;||}” border_width_all=”0px” global_module=”8665″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Is a Clinical Trial?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]A well-designed clinical trial is the best way to prove a treatment or medical approach works.<\/p>\n
In a clinical trial, participants get specific treatments or interventions based on a research plan. This is also called research protocol. Interventions can be a medical product (e.g., drug or device), a procedure (e.g., surgery) or changes to the participants\u2019 behavior (e.g., diet or exercise).<\/p>\n
During the trial, researchers compare a new intervention with an existing one. Or they may compare a new medicine with a \u201cplacebo.” A placebo is a medicine that appears to be like the new medicine but has no active ingredients.<\/p>\n
A comparative study is one type of clinical trial. It looks at the differences between interventions or medicines already available. For example, it might compare one type of asthma inhaler to another.<\/p>\n
When researchers study a new product or approach, they usually don\u2019t know if it will be helpful, harmful or make no difference compared to other interventions. They try to determine safety and effectiveness by measuring certain outcomes in participants.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Are the Phases of Clinical Trials?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]PHASE I<\/strong> PHASE II<\/strong> PHASE III<\/strong> PHASE IV<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Who Conducts Clinical Trials?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]A researcher called a principal investigator (PI) leads a clinical study. They often lead a research team. This team may include doctors, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals.<\/p>\n Sponsors, groups or businesses usually pay for research. These might include:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Type of Plan Is Used to Make Sure Research Is Done Properly?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Researchers conduct clinical studies according to a research plan or protocol. The protocol answers specific research questions and ensure the health of participants.<\/p>\n Protocols usually include the following information:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Who Can Take Part in Clinical Studies?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Research protocols outline who can take part in a clinical study. This is called inclusion criteria. Some researchers look for people who have the illnesses or conditions they are studying. Some studies look for healthy participants. And some studies look for a certain group of people who researchers asked to enroll.<\/p>\n Exclusion criteria are factors that disqualify someone from taking part in a study. Age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, prior treatment history and other existing medical conditions can be a part of inclusion and exclusion criteria.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How Are People Who Take Part in Clinical Research Protected From Harm?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Researchers use a process called informed consent to protect participants. Informed consent gives them detailed information about the clinical trial. This allows them to decide if they want to be part of the study. It also guides what happens if they continue with the study. Informed consent is intended to protect participants. It should give them enough information to understand the risks and benefits of taking part in the trial.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is Informed Consent a Contract?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]The participant must sign an informed consent document before joining a research study. This shows they received information on the risks, potential benefits and alternatives. The informed consent document is not a binding contract. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time for any reason.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Is an Institutional Review Board?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]An institutional review board (IRB) is a group who reviews research proposals to make sure they are ethical and protect participants. This group includes doctors, researchers, professors and members of the community. They also make sure risks are minimized and reasonable in relation to any potential benefits. The IRB reviews and approves or disapproves the research study protocol and informed consent documents.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Participating in a clinical study contributes to medical knowledge. The results of these studies can make a difference in the care of future patients. They provide information about the benefits and risks of therapeutic, preventative or diagnostic products or interventions. Clinical trials provide the basis for developing and marketing of new drugs and medical devices.<\/p>\n The safety and effectiveness of the study may not be fully known at the time of the trial. Participants may have a chance to see direct medical benefits from some trials. But others may not. Trials may involve some risk of harm or injury to the participant. But it may not be greater than the risks related to routine medical care or disease progression. If the IRB approves a trial, it has decided that it has minimized and reasonable risks in relation to the benefits.<\/p>\n Trials may require participants to have extra procedures, tests and assessments based on the study protocol. The informed consent document lists these requirements. A potential participant should talk to members of the research team and with their health care provider about any issues.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\nPurpose: Find out whether a medical approach (such as a drug, test or device) is safe, identify side effects and figure out the right doses.
\nNumber of participants: usually fewer than 100<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPurpose: Begin testing whether a medical approach works. Continue monitoring for side effects. Gather information for designing a large phase III trial.
\nNumber of participants: around 100\u2013300<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPurpose: Prove whether a medical approach works and continue monitoring side effects.
\nNumber of participants: as many as needed or can enroll, can be 1,000 or more<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPurpose: While a medical approach is being marketed, continue gathering information on its effects.
\nNumber of people: thousands<\/em>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Why Are Clinical Studies Done?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Clinical studies are designed to add to medical knowledge related to the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of diseases. Specific reasons for studies include:<\/p>\n\n
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Participating in Clinical Research<\/h3>\n